South’s contributing editor Janice Shay takes us on a tour of the best out of doors dining experiences in and around the Hostess City that you’ve just got to try this spring. From The Crab Shack to The Olde Pink House, there’s great food to be had at practically any budget with views and ambience that are uniquely, beautifully Savannah.

By Angela Gunn

Ahoy Mateys! Fancy walking the plank? If not, then be ready to surrender some booty because today kicks off the 8th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest.

The Buccaneer’s Ball launches the festival at The Crab Shack starting at 6:30 p.m. tonight with dancing, frivolity and food for all pirates and wenches age 18 and over.

Haviland will entertain with live performances from her hit CD “How I Role” and other  show-tunes at 7:45 and again at 9pm.  This December 23 rd event  is being hosted by  Attorney and Mrs. Howard Spiva at their Paradise Island home on Savannah’s Forest River.   This luxurious home will provide the perfect backdrop for meeting our guest star and mingling with fellow theater supporters, while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.  The home’s twelve-seat theater will feature a continuously running montage showcasing Haviland’s life and career, beginning with the early years as a barefoot toddler on Tybee’s beaches and Savannah locales through her many musical, theatrical and stage accomplishments.  This home-town girl, now working in LA and New York, has appeared on Broadway, in films,  and is currently shooting a guest starring role on CSI:NY. She’s the voice of the BRATZ doll, Yasmine in the syndicated television show, and will bring her personality and musical styling home to help raise money for the Tybee Theater. Between song sets, attendees can meet, greet, and take advantage of photo opportunities with this “star” on the rise!

Tickets to the event are $75 per person and tax deductible under IRS code 501(3)c.  Business attire is suggested. Once you have purchased a ticket on Eventbrite, by phone at (912) 786-9857 or in person at The Crab Shack’s Gift Shack, your admission ticket will be mailed to you and will be required for entry to the event.

All proceeds will benefit the restoration of the historic Tybee Post Theater through the “Casting for the Stars” campaign.  For more information on our campaign and how you can help, visit www.restoretybeetheater.com and restoretybeetheater.eventbrite.com . To learn more about the historic Tybee Post Theater visit www.tybeeposttheater.org .

This year’s Haunted House will benefit The Friends of the Tybee Theatre, an organization for the purpose of restoring Tybee’s Historic Post Theatre. All tickets are tax deductible.